What Causes Bilateral Paralysis And Eyelid Apraxia While Having Anxiety And Depression?

Posted on Mon, 13 Mar 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 Answered on

Tue, 4 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I had symptoms of what I truly believed was a stroke followed by severe anxiety depression and cervical dystonia, fatigue, and feelings of disassociation foggy and awful defression and confusion. A CT was done this was 4 month post whiplash. The only think that showed was an old large lesion in the left cerebellum obviously chronic vs acute. I am hoping to get an ECG as an MRI from the neurologist referral is done. One neurologist suggested conversion disorder which I disagree with since she did not rule out other possibilities Since the I have schedule another appt with primary and new neurologsit. What I want to know is there anyway a nervous breakdown could not only mimic the stroke but alos the post recovery symptoms I looked up.. During what I thought were the stroke symptoms I had bilateral paralysis as well as bilateral closed eyelid apraxia and my husband had to open my eyes. the symptoms improved after several hours and it wasnt till sevral days later I developed the movement anxity depression, communication and hyperactitvity feelings unabel to loo or work on the computer or phone. Could the be a nervous breakdown?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Neurological conditions should be ruled out first.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

I can understand your concern. The bilateral paralysis and eyelid apraxia could mimic neurological sequele like stroke or these might also occur in some psychiatric condition. But as you've also mentioned that to make conversion disorder as diagnosis other causes should be ruled out. Your CT showed old lesion that couldn't be the cause of these symptoms and MRI can help in making the diagnosis more clear.

But yes even mild neurological symptoms might lead to psychiatric symptoms like inability to do work, communication problems, hyperactivity etc. These are most probably part of nervous breakdown or severe anxiety. This should be evaluated properly. Your CT is normal so most likely reason of these symptoms is severe anxiety.

You are welcome to ask follow up doubts.

Thanks and Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng